After the changes in the approval process, caused by the enactment of EC Regulation 1107/2009, which came into force in June 2011 things have settled down. “Products are listed by their active ingredient profile and whilst nine of these have been deleted, 11 new ones have been added,” says Mr Martin Lainsbury, editor of The UK Pesticide Guide. “Some of these listings are new combinations of existing actives but some are genuinely new actives and although some are niche products at least we are seeing new actives receiving approval despite the higher environmental hurdles to be met.”

This latest edition includes a straightforward environmental action list in the Environmental Protection section aimed at helping farmers boost their biodiversity targets. The eight environmental land management actions are simple steps that can be taken to help make a difference to the farm environment. The approach complements best practice in soil, crop, fertiliser and pesticide management.

Hundreds of new Extension of Authorisation for Minor Uses – EAMUs (formerly SOLAs) are included which are essential for the protection of the less mainstream crops. Companies are now being encouraged to add these to product labels by small extensions to patent protection for each one added therefore they are no longer ‘off-label’’ in all situations.

Each active ingredient entry has a classification on its mode of action – which is important for resistance management. And for people who are concerned with transporting pesticides there is valuable information provided on the UN Numbers, Transport Code and Packaging Group – vital for Emergency Services faced with a pesticide emergency.

Copies are now available from: BCPC Publications Sales, 7 Omni Business Centre, Omega Park, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2QD UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1420 593 200 Email: publications@bcpc.org. Credit cards are accepted. Secure orders can also be placed online from the BCPC website on www.bcpc.org/bookshop.